How to identify a song on Android

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

A song is playing in a café, or a tune has been stuck in your head all day. An Android phone can name it in a few seconds, and it does not even need the original recording. Humming is enough.

Menu names below are from Google Pixel phones on a recent Android version. Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands rename some of them. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the screen, not screenshots.

Step by step

1. Open the Google app

   It is the app with the G. The Google search bar on the Home screen works too.

   Done

2. Tap the microphone

   It is at the right end of the search bar.

   Done

3. Tap Search a song

   The button is at the bottom of the listening screen.

   Done

4. Play or hum the song

   Hold the phone towards the speaker. If nothing is playing, hum, whistle or sing the melody.

   Done

5. Open the result

   Google lists the most likely songs. Tap one to see the artist, the lyrics and links to listen to it.

   Done

Good to know

You can also ask by voice: say "What's this song?" to Gemini or Google Assistant.

Other ways in are Circle to Search, a Quick Settings tile and a Home screen shortcut, depending on the phone.

Pixel phones have Now Playing, which shows the name of music playing nearby on the lock screen automatically. It is switched on in the Pixel's settings.

Quiet background music under loud talking is hard to recognise. Move closer to the speaker.

In short: Google app, microphone, Search a song, then play or hum the tune.